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    1. Home
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    3. Short nails: 30 designs and ideas to take to the salon

    Short nails: 30 designs and ideas to take to the salon

    Published on 11 April 2022 - Last updated on 1 July 2022 by Beth Ryan

    Just putting it out there – short nails are criminally underrated. Yes, they’re super practical, and – let’s face it – a lot easier to manage than long nails (have you ever tried to open a can of coke with long nails? Shudder). What we don’t give short nails enough credit for, though, is just how pretty they can actually be. 

    Short nails kind of have a reputation for being less feminine, less show-stopping, and less befitting of the endless amazing nail art designs you’ve been saving on Instagram (just us?). Plus, if you’re a nail-salon lover, you might think that short nails aren’t worth the trip; that they don’t make enough of an impact on your look. Spoiler alert, though: we’re about to show you why *none* of that is true. 

    Whether you’re a fan of intricate nail art, or a gold old-fashioned all-over colour, there’s something for everyone. For those after something elegant and chic – a classic or modern French Manicure is a sure-fire winner. Or, add an (even more) modern twist by opting for the reverse-french mani. 

    For a more trendy look – go big with metallic polishes and finishes, accents in pearls and rhinestones, and fun abstract nail art. (Think: Euphoria vibes). Or, if you’re looking for your new fave nail colour, we’ve got you covered here.  

    Our top tip for short nails:

    Opt for gel, shellac, BIAB, or another semi-permanent option when it comes to your short nails manicure. They’ll stay perfectly glossy and remain chip-free for the duration of your mani (around 2-3 weeks). 

    So, whilst we’ll always love an oh-so-extra long-nailed look – you can probably see we’re kind of obsessed with the elegance of a short nail manicure at the min. They’re just a little more versatile and much more transitional (profesh enough for a work meeting but cool enough for that hot date later on). Plus, you can type at your laptop without waking up the neighbours, and put on tights without immediately poking holes through them. Win-win. 

    Book nails ➡️
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    Images: Shutterstock, Instagram: @betina_goldstein, @nailsbykly, @nails.by.nadine.basingstoke, @nails.bab, @amyle.nails
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